CEMA’s new Position on Agricultural Robots sets out the industry’s vision for how Europe can harness automation to build a more sustainable, resilient, and competitive farming sector. The overview below outlines the benefit, challenges, and key policy priorities identified by the European agricultural machinery industry.
The transformation of European agriculture through digitalisation, automation, and autonomous robotic systems robotics is already well underway. These technologies are instrumental in delivering on the EU’s long-term goals related to sustainability, resilience, and competitiveness, and their strategic importance is increasingly recognised under key policy frameworks such as the European Green Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy, and the Digital Decade.
As the voice of the European agricultural machinery industry, CEMA stands ready to support the European Commission in shaping a coherent and forward-looking strategy for the development and deployment of agricultural robotics and smart autonomous machines.
CEMA represents the full spectrum of the agricultural machinery industry, from SMEs to global leaders, all of whom are driving innovation and tackling core challenges including labour shortages, food security, soil degradation, animal health and welfare, biodiversity, and resource efficiency. The CEMA network brings a unique perspective and hands-on experience from across Europe’s farming landscape. CEMA’s members contribute expertise that spans:
- The technical, legal, and operational requirements for deploying autonomous machines in real farming conditions;
- Active participation in European research and innovation projects;
- Close involvement in developing harmonised safety standards and functional safety frameworks;
- Insights into market readiness, investment needs, and adoption barriers across Member States.
Together with the Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF), CEMA plays a pivotal role in advancing data space frameworks that enable secure, standardised environments for collecting, sharing, and integrating data from diverse sources such as robots, sensors, and farm management systems. This collaboration ensures interoperability and alignment with European standards, supporting the creation of a secure and scalable digital ecosystem for agriculture.
Addressing key needs and challenges
The CEMA Position’s analysis highlights several areas where urgent policy action is needed to unlock the full potential of robotics and autonomy in agriculture. Policymakers should:
- Clarify regulatory frameworks governing the use of agricultural robots in open-field environments;
- Align innovation programmes and funding initiatives with real market needs and timelines;
- Ensure robust digital and connectivity infrastructure to support automation and data exchange;
- Promote skills development and knowledge transfer so that farmers and service providers can benefit fully from these technologies;
- Encourage diversity and generational renewal in the sector through technology-driven opportunities and accessible solutions.
CEMA stands ready to work closely with the European Commission through expert groups, partnerships, and future research programmes such as Horizon Europe and FP10.
By fostering collaboration between industry, policymakers, and research, Europe can secure global leadership in agricultural robotics and ensure a sustainable, competitive, and resilient farming sector.
Read CEMA’s Position on Agricultural Robots Download
This paper builds on the legacy of the EU-funded project agROBOfood (G.A. 825395) and presents the agricultural machinery industry’s perspective on the benefits, risks, and policy priorities for the successful deployment of robotics and autonomous systems in European farming.
